nincompoop

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Translations 1.3.3 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Earlier (1676) nicompoop, possibly from Latin non compos mentis, "not of sound mind," although the lack of the second n in the early form and the original meaning of "fop" cast doubt on this origin.

[edit] Pronunciation

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[edit] Noun

nincompoop (plural nincompoops)

1. A silly or foolish person.
   • 1905: Baroness Emmuska Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel [1]

     No wonder that Chauvelin's spies had failed to detect, in the apparently brainless nincompoop, the man whose reckless daring and resourceful ingenuity had baffled the keenest French spies...

[edit] Synonyms

• (foolish person): dunderhead, fop, fool, imbecile
• See also Wikisaurus:fool

[edit] Translations

[edit] Related terms

• ninny
• noncompos